May 29, 2024

NOAA Fisheries Eliminates Lobster Area 2 and 3 ownership caps and Area 3 maximum trap cap reductions

NOAA Fisheries is removing recently implemented ownership caps for Lobster Conservation Management Areas 2 and 3 and a maximum trap cap reduction implemented for Area 3. This action is being taken because the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has withdrawn these measures from its Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster and recommended that we remove these measures from federal regulation.

Mandatory electronic harvester reporting requirements using the federal electronic vessel trip report (eVTR) for all federal lobster permit holders remain unchanged, and were required beginning April 1, 2024.

For more information, read the final rule [lnks.gd] as filed in the Federal Register [lnks.gd].

Questions?

Fishermen: Contact Allison Murphy, Sustainable Fisheries, 978-281-9122

Media: Contact GARFO Public Affairs